Architectural writing cabinet

Columns can be found on antique furniture from almost every era. They flank the drawers of chests of drawers and writing furniture or actually have a supporting function in the form of table legs.

A capital is the upper end of a column, pillar or pilaster. Capitals originate from Greek antiquity and can be divided into three widespread orders.

Columns can be found on antique furniture from almost every era. They flank the drawers of chests of drawers and writing furniture or actually have a supporting function in the form of table legs.

In the Biedermeier period, black ebony was used as a contrast to light woods such as cherry, birch or ash. It was used for key plates and thread inlays.

A cornice is the roof or head of a piece of furniture.

The Schinkel roof or Schinkel gable is the triangular gable that we often find as the upper end of Biedermeier furniture.

Columns can be found on antique furniture from almost every era. They flank the drawers of chests of drawers and writing furniture or actually have a supporting function in the form of table legs.

The term "ebonising" refers to the blackening of wood. As the root of the word suggests, this is how people have tried to imitate the very expensive ebony.

In Biedermeier furniture making, attention is paid to straight lines and a strictly cubist design style. Carefully selected and mirrored veneers now provide the design of the surface. Sparingly placed columns and recessed key plates made of ebony loosen up the flatness.

An acanthus is a leaf ornament used as a design element, which is modelled on a thistle plant native to the Mediterranean region.

Anyone who has a classicist or baroque secretary at home and would like to learn more about their piece of furniture is strongly advised to read this book.

It is clearly sorted according to epochs and region of manufacture. Highly recommended!

The reference book "Biedermeier Worlds" by Rainer Haaff is a very good reference work for German Biedermeier furniture. The book is clearly arranged, with good photos and concise short descriptions of the furniture.